My Soul Delights in the Words of Christ

Dear fam,

Hey guys! Sounds like it’s been another good week for you guys. Can I just say that those first two sessions of conference were amazing.  I particularly liked Elder Holland’s and Elder Erying’s talks. I have felt the Spirit so strong and can say that my soul delights in the words of Christ and receiving inspiration. As you can imagine, we haven’t really had P-Day today, which is ok because its for conference, but I had to come and write you guys really fast. Before I forget mom, I was actually just sitting with Hermana Bunting in the "English Room" watching conference and we were just talking about our siblings (who are both supposed to be going to the same mission in New Zealand). We are in the same zone and she seems like she is an awesome missionary. Her Spanish is coming along really well and she handles the pressure of being the nurse really well. Her companion is known as "The Asistenta" (or the woman Assistant to the President) so she’s in good hands.

YOU WILL NOT BELIEVE WHAT I SAW THIS WEEK!!!!! I was driving along and I saw a gold 1994 Toyota 4runner (Trevor’s car during high school) with an ARIZONA license plate that said "NICASRF" on it. It may have been one of the trunkiest, if not the trunkiest moment of my whole mission. Blast from the past anyone? Other story from this week...I parked at Pricesmart and was getting out of the car when I hear someone from behind say something. I turned around and it was a crotchety old gringo man with an army hat and aviators on that was actually yelling at me in English.  He repeated again...”Move your !(/&%#" car!”  It appeared that one of my tires was on the line. Well...let’s just say that it took every once of strength not to say something super feo to him, but the Spirit sharply reminded me that I was one of His servants. I smiled, re-parked the car, and went on with my day.

Remember Norma and Tonio (the alcohol guy)...well they went to chruch on Sunday and LOVED it. Hermana Norma told us that same Sunday that she knew the church was true and that she was going to get baptized in our church along with her whole family. She, Tonio, and her daughter Ruth have a date for the 14th of this month to be baptized. Tonio hasn’t drunk this week and we took him to the LDS employment center to help him find a job this week. It truly is amazing the power that the Atonement has in our lives. The family that went from complete devastation and darkness is now happy, smiling, and preparing to be baptized. That is the miracle of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Not only that, she introduced us to some more of her kids and now her son, his wife, and their 8yr old daughter have a baptismal date for the 21st of this month. They basically told us in the first visit that they wanted to be married and baptized.

In honor of 18 months in the mission, Elder Call and I (who also completed 18 months) drove around one of the main rotundas 18 times. I almost threw up, but it was a good time. You’re right mom, its time to get down to business. If there is one thing that I notice as I go on through my mission, it’s that I need to keep doing more...that "becoming a saint" like it says in Mosiah 3:19 requires an eternity...and the mission counts for more than just two years of experience.

I love you guys so much and I’m praying for you. Keep being good and keep readin them scriptures!

Love,
Elder Ward

PS Mom, what’s Connor’s e-mail address cuz I just get his letters from you but want to write him too. Also, something to think about...have you guys thought more about coming to pick me up? Because next change I will have to fill out some information about that if it’s going to happen.